This story has been posted by Healthwatch Tameside on behalf of a member of the public. We have their details and will forward any comments to them, as they do not have an email address. They said…
This lady’s husband has special needs, since suffering an Arteriovenous malformation 24 years ago aged 36. One of his disabilities is a speech problem. During recurrent hospital admissions he is confused, particularly if he is moved between wards, and he can’t speak to people or understand everything. As his carer, she tries to stay with him, and thought she had an agreement that Tameside Hospital would notify her of any move. In February, he was in MAU, and one night he was woken at midnight to be moved to another ward. He became very distressed as his wife wasn’t there and he didn’t know what was happening.
Some staff are very understanding but some seem to resent his wife staying with him, and she wants reassurance that she can – she would be available any time, day or night.
This lady is very clear that she has no complaint about her husband’s clinical treatment or his general care. She feels that the hospital has improved, if anything. She would like all staff to have training in how to work with people who have special needs.
"Understanding special needs patients in hospital"
About: Tameside General Hospital / General medicine Tameside General Hospital General medicine OL6 9RW
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